Black Mutt Brewing

I've added another link in my favorites section. It's a great site about home brewing. Check it out sometime if you get the chance. It's entertaining and educational!

My wife's business

I just wanted to say congrats to my wife for starting up her business. It takes a lot of effort to be an entrepreneur, and I'm glad she has the courage to start it. I think this is something that everyone should look into.

Having your own business, even if it is just a side job, seems to be one of the best ways to be prepared. If run wisely, it becomes an additional income stream. Couple that with a budget, and there will be money left over to make life just a tad more easier.

I'd like to start my own business someday. I'm still trying to find my passion though. Hopefully you'll find that passion too.

At the crest...

I'm at the top of the roller coaster hill. Things in my life seem to be going well this year, and it seems like I'm about to be in for a wild ride. Hope I make it through.

My wife is starting a business. This is forcing me to brush up on some skills. That's a good thing though. I am eager for the challenge.

My main focus is time management. This is something I struggle a lot with. I have no problem working. My problem is trying to balance work and life. This causes.... issues.

Sometimes work takes over my life. I get absorbed in projects, and the need to stay busy. It causes me to stress, and neglect other areas of my life. My family starts to get distant, I lose sleep, I eat more. Bad things start to happen.

So I'll stop and re-evaluate. I drop what I'm doing and focus on enjoying life again. I hang around my family more. I catch up on all that TV I dvr'ed. I become lazy. Bad things start to happen.

Then the cycle repeats and flips back to hard work again. So my plan this year is to strike a balance between these areas of my life. I am done with the huge swings in productivity and relaxation. I want to find time for both. Time for a vacation....

I made it!

Last night was a good reminder that it pays to be prepared. This story might sound a bit dramatic. But it shows how being prepared for the big things, pays huge dividends with the small ones.

My basic Tuesday goes something like this. I work till about five, and depending on traffic, get home about time for everyone at home to be starving for dinner. Including me. I have an 11 month old baby to feed and entertain, as well as two girls in high school. My wife does a great job of leaving things ready for me before she heads to work, and I think that is a main reason I've kept my sanity. I'm not that great at taking care of a family, but I seem to be dealing ok with these nights so far.

Last night was a true test. I had a sick baby. The girls were restless from not having school. And there was a possible ice storm coming. About the time I thought I had survived another Tuesday, the power went out.

No big deal though. I made sure to keep the girl calm by giving them light and tasks. I was stuck holding the baby and giving directions. And they did great. It was only pitch black for a few moments. I was able to get my son to venture off to nappy land. The girls helped gather candles, and flashlights. I also had them bring in my backpack of supplies (my BOB), but that wasn't necessary.

This event did shed some light on some holes in our preps. Having an alternative form of heat in our house is among the top on the list. A generator would be nice as well. The wife and I will need to discuss this and figure out a plan.

All in all, Murphy wasn't able to put a damper on the night. Thank goodness our house was prepared. I could have been much worse.